OKC Thunder 3 goals: Isaiah Joe can have another 40% outside shooting season

A summer filled with celebration nears its end. Only a month remains until the Oklahoma City Thunder start the 2025-26 regular season. The NBA champion has enjoyed its accomplishments, but soon a new marathon will start with them at the top.

Bringing back mostly the same roster, the Thunder are the consensus title favorite. They're viewed as a team that could pull off the rare feat of being a back-to-back champion. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren all signed contract extensions this offseason to keep their title window wide open.

To prepare for the 2025-26 regular season, Thunder Wire will lay out three goals for all 17 players on the roster. OKC has 15 standard players and two two-way players. Let's look at Isaiah Joe and what he could accomplish this upcoming year:

Remain a 40% outside shooter

Joe has been one of the Thunder's better developmental stories in recent years. He went from a forgettable second-round player who didn't do much in his first two seasons on the Philadelphia 76ers to a rotation player on an NBA champion. Since he joined OKC, he's been one of the better bench outside shooters. His volume has slowly increased over the years.

One of the more impressive feats Joe has had on the Thunder is his three straight seasons of 40% outside shooting. Last season was his best at 41.2% from 3 on 6.3 attempts. As most know, the 40% mark is what separates the good outside shooters from the best ones. For him to do that for three straight years has shown his reliability from the outside. That's a welcome skill in the NBA.

Lean on chemistry with Hartenstein

One of the benefits the Thunder enjoyed when they added Isaiah Hartenstein was his secondary playmaking. Learning under Nikola Jokic, he's one of the more daring big-man passers. One of the ways he helps the bench lineup create buckets when Gilgeous-Alexander is off the floor is his dribble handoff action. A simple bounce pass and screen create enough space for the best outside shooters.

You saw Joe create some chemistry with Hartenstein. His off-ball movement helped him create quality looks from beyond the perimeter. That resulted in a career-high 10.2 points. He didn't need to be a textbook catch-and-shoot threat who stands around the perimeter. Let's see if they can continue that rapport for a second season between the two players.

Participate in 3-point All-Star contest

This has been on Joe's bucket list for years. Every season, you hear him vouch for himself to be in the All-Star 3-point shooting contest. So far, the NBA has snubbed him. But now, the league has tied itself to the Thunder with the most national TV appearances this upcoming season. That could change things. More eyeballs means more consideration. If the OKC role player can be a double-digit scorer again, he'll be a name people will mention.

As most know, the 3-point contest has taken over the dunk contest in popularity. The former is where you usually see All-Star players participate. That said, plenty of role players are also invited to the event. Especially if you have the reputation of being a threat from deep. While Joe's stats have backed that up for years, conventional wisdom hasn't caught up yet.

This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Thunder 3 goals: Isaiah Joe can have another 40% outside shot season